MAKAR SANKRANTI - A FESTIVITY OF SUN'S TRANSITION TOWARDS CAPRICORN
Makara Sankranthi Celebration.Place Of Merriment: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerela, Assam and Orissa
The Indians celebrate the alternation of seasons very vibrantly and sacredly. One such celebration is Makar Sankranti. It falls on January 14 every year. This date is pre-determined according to the solar calendar. It marks the beginning of the Sun's north-journey towards Capricorn.
Meaning of Makar Sankrant
Astrologically, Makar means 'Capricorn' and 'Sankranti' is transition. It is a transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn. In geographical glossary, it is called as 'Winter Solstice'. This is characterized by equal day and equal night. From this day onwards, the weather becomes warmer and pleasant, after the chilly winds blowing across the country.
Myriad Rainbow of Festivity
Makar Sankranti is celebrated since the existence of the Aryans. This festival is celebrated in different myriad cultural forms across the country.
UTTAR PRADESH
It is known as 'Khichri'. On this day, lakhs of devotees take a holy dip in sacred religious waters in the Sangam, where the sacred rivers of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati flow together. At this confluence, Kumbh Mela is held for full one month on a grand scale.
WEST BENGAL
On this day, a mammoth fun fair called 'Mela' is enjoyed at the Ganga Sagar. It is believed that the River Ganga—a holy river of India, has vivified the ashes of over sixty thousand ancestors of King Bhagirath.
TAMIL NADU
In Tamil, it is called 'Pongal'. It means surging of rice boiled in a pot of milk. Highly popular among the farming community, where they rejoice the harvest of their crops—particularly rice and sugarcane. On this day, a tasty meal where rice and pulses cooked together in ghee and milk is offered to the God after the rituals.
ANDHRA PRADESH
Telugus calls it 'Pedda Panduga' meaning a big festival. It rejoices as a harvest festival celebrated for four full days. These are Bhogi, Sankranti, Kanuma, and Mukkanuma.
MAHARASHTRA
It is the Maharashtrians who love this festival the most. For it is the time to munch 'til-guls' and til polis, sweet balls from sesame seeds, jaggery and sesame seeds oil (til). On this day, members greet each other by saying in Marathi 'Til gul ghya, god bola'. This means in English 'accept these tilguls and speak sweet words'.
GUJARAT
On this day, Gujaratis celebrate this day of exchange of gifts along with tilguls. The Gujarati Pundits grant special scholarships to students for higher studies in astrology and philosophy. Kite flying festival is hoisted in a very big way, where all shapes and sizes kites are hoisted giving a spectacular treat.
Makar Sankranti Puja Vidhi: Method of Worship
- Wake up an hour or two before sunrise.
- Be ready to worship the rising Sun with water and flowers.
- Once the sun has risen, pray with folded hands by chanting the Gayatri Mantra.
- Pray for knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment. Have a special session of Meditation to grow on a spiritual path.
- Prepare laddus or other sweets from sesame seeds and jaggery.
- Exchange with your friends and relatives.
- Have a light and simple lunch like dal chawal or kichiri.
- This stands for inculcating simplicity in your life and food habits.
- Finally, do some social service activity by giving utility items to the needy.
Makar Sankranti Vrat Katha : Story of Makar Sankranti
According to the story described in the old on Makar Sankranti Lord went to son house to meet his son. Since Shani is the god of Makara Rashi. This is why it is called Makar Sankranti.Apart from the story of Sankranti, the subject is also described in the Mahabharata. According to the Mahabharata, the Great warrior of Mahabharata war and Gangaputra Bhishma, commander of the Kaurava army received the blessing of death.
After applying Arjun's arrow, he Knows the importance of this day and Set this day for his death.
Bhishma knew that after Surya Dakshinayan Person does not attain salvation And he was reborn in this death world. After the Mahabharata war, when the sun Uttarayan happened then Bhishma Pitamah Gave up his life.
